Son of Annie Warren 

Died 20th June 1947

Aged 24 years

Commemorated at Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery
Prot. Sec. (Men's). Plot F. Grave 113.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 27^th June 1947

Local Naval Man Dies in Cable Ship

TWENTY-four-year-old Chief Petty Officer John D. Warren, of 8 Gold-street, Podington, died at Bighi Naval Hospital, Malta, after being extricated from the hold of the naval cable ship, St. Margaret, where he had been overcome by fumes on Friday attempting to trace a blockage of the waste pipe.

A ship's officer and six ratings, who collapsed while attempting to rescue Warren, are recovering in hospital after artificial respiration.

The mishap occurred as the St. Margaret was about to leave for Devonport, Cornwall.

Warren joined the Navy during the war after working for Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons, of Rushden, carpenter.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 4^th July 1947

Tried To Trace A Leakage-Dies

Ocercome by gas when he entered one of the ship's cable tanks to trace a choked scupper pipe, led to the death of C.P.O. John Dennis Warren, Merchant Navy, of Podington, according to a letter received by his mother from an officer aboard the St. Margaret.

The fatality occurred as the St. Margaret was about to leave for Devonport, Cornwall, and C.P.O

Warren died later in the Bighi Naval Hospital at Malta.

Expressing regret on behalf of the ship's company, H. M. Blake writes: "What happened was that, on the morning of Friday, the 20th June, he (P.O. Warren) entered one of the ship's cable tanks alone to try and trace a choked scupper pipe, and was overcome by some form of gas. the origin of which is still being investigated.

''He was only there a few minutes when he was discovered by one of his shipmates, PO Glanville, who immediately raised the alarm.

"In the meantime, the boatswain, C.P. Stewart and First Lieutenant, Lt-Cmdr. Pickering, immediately entered the tank to rescue him, but before they could lift him they also collapsed, and remembered nothing more.

Ropes Lowered

"Meanwhile, ropes were lowered into the tank, and several leading seamen and able seamen climbed down to get them out.

"Some of them were overcome almost at once, but Leading Seaman May, with great courage and presence of mind, went down five or six times to rope up each in turn. All were brought on deck, and your son was at once given artificial respiration."

The letter goes on to describe how medical aid was available within a few minutes. Oxygen treatment and artificial respiration were tried, repeatedly from 10.25 a.m. to 3 pm. when P.O. Warren was then conveyed to the Royal Naval Hospital at Bighi. He died without ever having regained consciousness.

"He was buried at the Naval cemetery at Capucini," continued the officer, "and accorded the full Naval honours of a Chief Petty Officer

"The funeral was most impressive. The band, which played the 'Slow March,' was provided by the Marines of H.M.S Ocean, an aircraft carrier, and the escort consisted of 30 Chief and Petty Officers and a seamen's firing party from H.M.S. Phoenicia, the Naval barracks. A Naval chaplain from the hospital conducted the service."

C.P.O. Warren, who lived at Gold-street, Podington, was 24 years of age, and had previously been employed as a carpenter by Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons, of Rushden.

A memorial service has been held at Podington, conducted by the Rev. V. Coles, and attended by members of his family and a large number of parishioners and friends.